I got the blue one, in a 56 cm, and I love it. It is the most amazing bike I've ever ridden. I got mine from bikesdirect, and it was awesome; I bought, and a week later it was on my door step. It comes mostly assembled, and a few minutes will get you out and riding. I ride in some pretty tough streets with it, and couldnt be happier with its performance.

Two words: GET IT

I got a 61cm a few months ago and love it. Works great. Fantastic bike for the money.

I read a lot of stuff on bike forums. Some people were really adamant about bikes direct and motobecane bikes in a negative manner. But, to me most seemed as though they had a grudge or had limited experience with mechanical things. I paid attention mainly to reponses that made sense and were reasonable.

I just bought a 2010 Fantom CX in orange from Bikes direct. The whole experience was exceptional. Good customer service. Fast Shipping.

The bike is very good quality for the price. I beleive it was 559.00 but, once I ordered online they did not have the size I wanted 54cm so I ordered a 56cm and glad I did. Not only did bikes direct give me 50.00 off, the bike fits me perfectly. I'm 5'10.

I needed to do some assembling but, everything was there the only things that needed adjustment were the brakes and front derailler.

The bike is very fast and light and handles very well. I use it to commute and also on trails and paths. Shifting is precise.

The cost is almost unbelieveable.

Sora Shifters (STI) and front derailler. Rear Derailler Tiagra, Crank set FSA vero. Frame is stiff which I prefer. Tekro onynx brakes are ok.

For 509.00 this really can't be beat and is a great way to get a good setup and save some cash. I could not see me spending 1400.00 on a bike at a LBS. But, thats me.

After much research, I finally got out to a retail location for BD. The bike has so far withstood:
1)A brutal end-over-end encounter with a curb that nearly killed me. 2)Theft and recovery during a tropical storm. 3)Being ejected from my truck bed after somebody undid my combo, changed code, and left the bike unlocked and unsecured, appearing locked until it flew out and was recovered, scratched, but 100% functional.
4) Offroad, and technical singletrack trail runs with my buds on full suspension mtb's. 5) Too many stumps, roots, and gnarly bad things to count. 6) My own gross incompetence and gonzo style, lack of technique, finesse or skill.
If it kills me, I deserve it, but wow-what a machine. Nothing that strong deserves to be as light, fast and scrappy. Accelerates very, very well- very stiff, precise. Incredibly tough rims, the bike overall is quick, light-and about to be lightened with a carbon fiber fork, crank.
Can't wait to turn it loose on dirt roads in New England; plenty fast on pavement, but too much fun on the dirt.
Brakes maybe need different pads, but that's just me trying to nitpick. Tires have held up to too many powerslides and a good share of glass, other debris.
The frame is very, very well crafted and attractive-mine is gunmetal, and I'm impressed with that particular model's paint; very tough.
At age 44, 6'1", I'm riding like I was 12 again, and faster than ever before. My 58cm frame might be a little short in the top tube for my torso, but I'm within the range of adjustments offeed by the hardware, so that's moot.
All in all, I was so skeptical , I missed a couple months of riding while I researched. 'Too good to be true' would sum up my experience , and my shop has been superb.
On extreme terrain, yes, I do suffer for not having suspension, but a more skilled rider would simply blow through what slows me down; roots, stumps...
Tires might offer more road speed when I change the originals out, but I enjoy flying down the street and onto the dirt. It's a screaming hoot to ride hard, and comfy enough for cruises, but most enjoyable being tossed around at speed. It deserves a better rider, but I'm still getting faster on it. Gear range: wide enough for climbing all but the steepest-or maybe I just need to ride more. Top gear: could use a little more; it's light enough to be even faster if I had a different crank, rear cassette.
Perhaps the ultimate, for me, would be a dedicated set of road wheels, and a slightly softer set of dirt tires for ugly trail stuff, but this bike has such a split personality, it's fun to see just what you can get away with.
I was surprised I went with the CX's cro-mo fork, but doubt that anything else could have survived my 90 degree curb strike without damage.
What a fun bike to fly...

Nice. I'm looking at the same ride from BikesDirect. I know, I know... BikesDirect, Motobecane, bad service, bad quality... I've read it all before, but I think this is the bike for me! I just can't figure out what size to order. I'm 5'11", 32" inseam. Back in the day, I rode a 56cm GT road bike that was probably too big for me. But do the numbers match up??? Do I need a 54cm? Or, because it's a cyclocross bike, do I go bigger? I just don't know. What do you guys think?

I just got a Fantom Cross which is the same bike with a carbon fork and tiagra/105 running gear. It is excellent. I paid $799 from bikes direct. Free shipping and it was here in 2 days. This bike is virtually identical to the $1500 Cannondale I was thinking of buying. The only difference is the Cannondale has a full 105 group and nicely polished smooth welds. That's not enough to pay twice the money. I was thing of getting another set of wheels with road tires but I like the "enduro" street/trail aspect of the bike so I think I'll just stick with the cross tires. I did not try the seat. I just put my Selle San Marco Regal (highly recommended) from my old bike on it. Great bike. Great price. Great service from bikes direct.

Please tell me--What's the widest tire these bikes can handle? They make a 700x47--will it fit? How about with fenders? Thanks!